Cornell (Half) vs. StJohn's (Full) Forum

[silverdoe91]

So have Cardozo and Fordham really not given you scholarship info yet or did you actually get half rides?

Still waiting on Cardozo, but Fordham gave me 35k so far (I asked for more but we'll see what happens; apparently they do not give out more than 40k a year to anyone.) But even with 35k a year, my entire COA for Fordham would be 60k upon graduation which is literally half of the 120k-140k I'd have to pay for Cornell. I'm sure my employment chances will also be twice as much, but Idk if it's really worth it to spend that much $$

You should not deposit at St. John's (there is absolutely no reason to go there if Fordham is only $60k) but deposit at Cornell to keep the (best) option open.

Yeah, I'm planning on making a first deposit at Cornell because even if I don't go, Fordham is offering to pay me for any deposit I make at another school.

[silverdoe91]

ETA: fordham sucks . don't go to fordham

Why do you think Fordham sucks?

[A. Nony Mouse]

But then there's always the environment that I might not like. Being stuck with just 200 or so people in a wintery place when I absolutely hate winter (I literally get seasonal depression) seems like it would create an environment that I would not enjoy so much. I mean what if I don't like those 200 people? I've literally paid 100k to put myself in a secluded bubble with no one else but them.

You realize that 1) there are more than 200 people in the law school and 2) the law school isn't the only component of the university? It's not like you're forbidden to talk to non-1Ls. Also, Cornell is in the same state as NYC. You're going to be dealing with winter either way - it's not like you're moving from San Diego.

(Have you ever lived away from your parents before?)

[guynourmin]

This thread is so addicting, I hate it! OP, you clearly don't want to go to Cornell! I don't know if you really even know why you don't want to go to Cornell - every 'reason' you've come up with has been quickly torn apart but you keep coming back with them - but you obviously don't want to go so bad that I think you'd do poorly once you got there. I think you'd be unhappy, or force yourself to be unhappy, and it would affect your work. So don't go to Cornell! Whatever.


That said, if you're not going to Cornell this year, you shouldn't go to law school this year. If Cornell is willing to offer you a half tuition scholarship, you shouldn't be considering SJU and you shouldn't be paying any tuition at a school like Fordham. Sit tight a year, do something fun, and tighten up your application. There's obviously some strong parts of it - Cornell gave you a half tuition scholarship - but it can't be great because your only full option is SJU. I honestly think if we were to survey all the students who got full rides to SJU most of them would not have even gotten into Cornell, let alone received any money, let alone received such a large scholarship. Most t14 students have more debt than Cornell is asking you to take on. It's a reasonable amount. If you don't want it, that's fine. It's reasonable to have some hesitation about that much debt. It's not reasonable to then turn around and go to a terrible law school. That poison analogy someone else posted is pretty good, but I think it's more like saying you're thirsty but don't want to pay $12 for a cold pressed juice so you're going to go for the free poison instead because the store you're at doesn't have any water for sale. You can just go to the store next door (next application cycle!) And get a bottle of water there. You're not dying of thist, and you certainly don't have to go to law school this year. (Or, get the juice! $12 is pricey, but you can afford it, and those juices are actually really good! I want some juice now...)

[Dcc617]

OP, I think you should shut this whole thing down this cycle. Take another couple years off, get more independent, maybe grow a little more as a person. Retake and reapply for better options (like money at NYU). You shouldn't feel like you're picking between the lesser of two evils.

[foxes]

(Have you ever lived away from your parents before?)

This. Either take Cornell or reapply next cycle and try for more money at a better school. I can't believe this thread is still going.

[Mikey]

(Have you ever lived away from your parents before?)

This. Either take Cornell or reapply next cycle and try for more money at a better school. I can't believe this thread is still going.

[Mikey]

OP, If you don't want to go to Cornell then just don't go. But PLEASE don't settle for SJU if you're getting half tuition from Cornell. Reapply next cycle and just leave Cornell out of your options.

[silverdoe91]

But then there's always the environment that I might not like. Being stuck with just 200 or so people in a wintery place when I absolutely hate winter (I literally get seasonal depression) seems like it would create an environment that I would not enjoy so much. I mean what if I don't like those 200 people? I've literally paid 100k to put myself in a secluded bubble with no one else but them.

You realize that 1) there are more than 200 people in the law school and 2) the law school isn't the only component of the university? It's not like you're forbidden to talk to non-1Ls. Also, Cornell is in the same state as NYC. You're going to be dealing with winter either way - it's not like you're moving from San Diego.

(Have you ever lived away from your parents before?)

That's very true. Weather here in NY is cold as it is, but people have been making it seem as though it would be colder in Ithaca since it's more up north, closer to Canada. I looked up climate stats and it does seem to be several degrees colder, but not by a lot.

Nope, I haven't. That's primarily why I applied to Cornell because I thought it would give me a chance to live away from them. But the closer I get to making a decision, the more I hesitate. Idk if it's just cold feet or if the questions I have are legitimate concerns I should pay attention to.

[LandMermaid]

But then there's always the environment that I might not like. Being stuck with just 200 or so people in a wintery place when I absolutely hate winter (I literally get seasonal depression) seems like it would create an environment that I would not enjoy so much. I mean what if I don't like those 200 people? I've literally paid 100k to put myself in a secluded bubble with no one else but them.

You realize that 1) there are more than 200 people in the law school and 2) the law school isn't the only component of the university? It's not like you're forbidden to talk to non-1Ls. Also, Cornell is in the same state as NYC. You're going to be dealing with winter either way - it's not like you're moving from San Diego.

(Have you ever lived away from your parents before?)

That's very true. Weather here in NY is cold as it is, but people have been making it seem as though it would be colder in Ithaca since it's more up north, closer to Canada. I looked up climate stats and it does seem to be several degrees colder, but not by a lot.

Nope, I haven't. That's primarily why I applied to Cornell because I thought it would give me a chance to live away from them. But the closer I get to making a decision, the more I hesitate. Idk if it's just cold feet or if the questions I have are legitimate concerns I should pay attention to.

They are clearly, obviously, unarguably not legitimate concerns that you should pay attention to. As many different people have told you over and over and over and over and over in very straightforward, convincing, and intelligent ways.

[mathis1490]

Best thread on TLS

[FutureSuperLawyer]

Don't go to Cornell. Your seasonal affect disorder is going to be much worse at Cornell because of the long winters. Law school is very stressful. If you're depressed during the long winter it will affect your grades and then Cornell's name won't be as much of a help as people think. People in the bottom third of the class don't get great jobs from Cornell and that's where you're likely to end up if you're severely depressed. Even if you could get a good job, its not worth being miserable for three years. And the stress of law school will make your SAD worse. But the worst thing is that Cornell has always had a problem with suicide. Maybe its the long winters, maybe its the isolation, maybe its the stress. But nothing is worth the risk of death.

You want to be somewhere you're close to friends and family. People who will support you.

[stego]

Not everyone in Ithaca is a law student or even a Cornell student. You don't have to live at the law school.

OP, do you have a light box? Is learning to drive a possibility for you?

[starsofthelidd]

i am starting at cornell with a half scholarship this fall and i can't believe this fucked up thread exists

[starsofthelidd]

in seriousness though it does seem like you just aren't ready to move away from home yet, OP. which is fine if that's the case, but you should be honest with yourself about it.

[T14orTradeSchool]

Though I think you should go to Cornell (it really isn't that bad, and actually pretty nice socially and in many other respects too), the right move here is just to not attend this year. Don't go to a school if you're this adamant about not attending (doesn't matter how superficial the reason is). Sit out, retake (if you want) and apply early next year. I'm sure there will be other options for you with your score and GPA, and if you use your time off to get some experience or do something substantive. and even if you just chilled on your couch, I'm sure you'll snag something. Also, don't apply to Cornell next year if you really hate it this much lol just don't allow it be an option and save yourself an application fee.

EDIT: Also, realize that cycles change. Don't think you'd get the same offers this cycle as the next. You're very much taking a gamble, even though I think the odds still tilt towards you. You just never really know.

[Rigo]

Did I miss where OP said he has SAD or is did that come out of nowhere?

[Rigo]

You don't seem excited about going to law school in general, especially not Cornell. That says something. Don't go to law school unless you're absolutely sure you want to go. It will always be there if you need to take a year off and and gain some perspective/find your independent self.

[stego]

Did I miss where OP said he has SAD or is did that come out of nowhere?

Yes, you missed where he said that.

[Rigo]

Did I miss where OP said he has SAD or is did that come out of nowhere?

Yes, you missed where he said that.

My bad. Found it. Missed it on the first go around.

[Mikey]

Best thread on TLS

+1

[pancakes3]

OP, why do you want to be a lawyer and why do you think you'd be good at it?

[Ohiobumpkin]

Stay out a year, and go to UCLA or USC to combat SAD.

[eph]

Retake. Only Stanford will work for you. Study hard and get a 173 or better and you should have a one in ten chance. Long odds but worth the risk to get exactly what you need. You won't be happy anywhere else. And if not happy you won't excel. Harvard and Yale just don't have the weather you need given your circumstance. Everything about Stanford is superb. You would love it there. Good luck.

[pterodactyls]

I agree with the previous posters that you should look into getting an MPA. If you're not willing to take out a little more debt (which will be under LRAP) to go to Cornell, you shouldn't go to law school. An MPA will provide bang for your buck and you can go to a good school without taking out many loans.